It is easy for a buyer to say that the postage rate should be compulsory, it is not that easy....where an item can be posted in the same state the postage is cheaper than other states, and if posting to WA, NT or TAS from NSW postage rates are higher and different. So not that simple to quote postage rates. However for DVD's which can be sent at letter rates it can. I thought that eBay sorted out the postage rates that can be charged for DVD's, CD's and Books or has this changed? If you don't know the postage rate and the seller does not reply to your email about rates either do not bid or if the postage rate is too high try to negotiate the rate with the seller and if they won't budge then report them and refuse to complete the sale. If you are using Paypal to pay for your purchase then the seller has the right to make you pay for registered mail, most don't but some do. It covers them in case of a buyer claiming that the item was not received and the automatic refund from Paypal to the buyer. It keeps the buyers honest as we all want to know that buyers and sellers are protected from fraud. Currently buyers have the privilege with the "buyer protection" seller have to rely on registered mail although there is some sort of seller protection but it is very limited not like the buyer protection that is unlimited.